Today I made a $10 payment on a $50  bicycle

Chapter 30: 1947 • Sonora ~ continuation of Larry’s diary

1947 • Larry’s Diary (age 13)
Feb 1  Today I took both routes again for Mr. Mouron. I also looked at some bikes as I am hoping to buy one. Bought more stamps for collection.
Feb 2  I went for a short walk. I also took a bath the day before yesterday and one today. 

Feb 3  I made a $10 payment on a $50 new bicycle. I have gone riding a little bit.
Feb 4  Today I bought a “book” that had different things in it.
Feb 5  Today I bought some more stamps. I got a cardboard globe at Livingstons shoe store. I also got some bubble gum (50 cents) at two cents a piece.
Feb 6  Today I went to the scout meeting. Heard Standard School Broadcast and had rehearsing of Boy Scouts week for tomorrow.
Feb 7  Today a lady gave me a 50 cent tip on my morning paper route, and said, “You’re the best paper boy I ever had and I hope I don’t lose you.” I got my report card.

Feb 8  Today I went to Redwood City to visit the Days. I bought some stamps.
Feb 9  Today I went for a walk through Redwood City. Bob and Trula live in back of Verda and George. Grandma Chatfield was also visiting.
Feb 10  Missed school because family didn’t get back from Redwood City (130 mile trip) until 2 P.M. I delivered morning papers in the afternoon.
Feb 11  I bought a scouts shirt. I got my Tenderfoot badge.
Feb 12  Had a play at school. Bought my troop number (62). It rained today.
Feb 13  Today I bought some valentines, went to Pat’s house. I’ve got boy to take over route #5 of the Union Democrat which I had to take yesterday.
Feb 14  Got 29 valentines at school. End of Boy Scout week.

Feb 15  Today I bought scout compass and boy scout whistle. Bundled up papers for boy scouts. Am beginning to learn Morse Code.
Feb 16  The dog which lived next door was killed by a car near Pat’s house. We buried him at the cemetery.
Feb 17  Today I bought myself a pair of levis and a sweater. Sorted stamps. Was one minute late for school.
Feb 18  Today I went to Pat’s house and learned Semaphore flag code for my Second Class in scouts.
Feb 19  Today is Ash Wednesday so I put some ashes at church for one hour mass. Carleen got into my room again and took 15 packs of gum.
Feb 20  Today I went to the scout meeting. Bought some stamps.
Feb 21  Today I went to the basketball game.

Feb 22  Today I went to the Fireman’s dance as checkroom boy, I never got home until 4 a.m. Pat Conway and 15 sailors came to our house.
Feb 23  Today I overslept and never woke up until 8 a.m. Took money from checking over to Pat’s house ($11.02). Sailors left
Feb 24  Today I counted my books and I have a sum of 147 books including pocketbooks. Got a piece of plyboard for my bed (too soft).
Feb 25  Today I cleaned and rearranged my room a small bit. Father bought a radio. As soon as I get enough money I can buy it from him.

To be continued…

Catherine Sevenau is a writer, humorist, and storyteller living in Sonoma. The stories in this series are excerpts from her book, Through Any Given Door, a Family Memoir,at Sevenau.com.